- Today marks the 200th anniversary of Florence Nightingale
- She is responsible for making nursing what it is today by pushing for better conditions in hospitals and training for nurses
- She reformed the healthcare service in the United Kingdom and the rest of the world
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During this pandemic, healthcare workers have come to the forefront, particularly nurses, which makes today particularly special.
Today marks the anniversary of the birth of British nurse, Florence Nightingale. She was born exactly 200 years ago on this day, 12 May, 1820.
She helped to revolutionise the health care system in England with the improvement of conditions in hospitals.
Her career in nursing began when she was helping at a military hospital during the Crimean War. She noted that the conditions were horrendous but the top brass was not interested in improving conditions.
However, she had connections at The Times newspaper. She was very popular with her patients and often worked around the clock. She would often do her rounds late at night carrying a lamp. It was because of this she was affectionately called "The lady with the mp".
She was given the task of improving conditions at the military camp, which she did and dramatically reduced the mortality rate of the patients.
Florence continued to champion the rights of patients and for the improvement of healthcare through better nursing and conditions.
She wrote two books, Notes on Hospital (1859) and Notes on Nursing (1859) to share her views.
In 1860 with £59 000 she raised she was able to build the Nightingale School & Home for Nurses at St. Thomas's Hospital.
Her work changed the role of nursing forever and made it a desirable career. Today marks the anniversary of her birthday and International Nurse's Day.
She made such an impact that nurses in South Africa still undertake to honour the oath of Florence Nightingale.
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In other news, Briefly.co.za reported that today the world celebrates International Nurses' Day. Nurses have played a pivotal role amid the Covid-19 pandemic and the world has stood up to pay tribute to them.
The International Council of Nurses and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement released a joint statement calling on the world to appreciate nurses and other health care workers on the frontlines. It is believed that more than 90 000 health care workers worldwide have been infected with Covid-19 while in the line of duty. Heartfelt tributes have poured in to commemorate the occasion.
British Prime Minister shared a tweet showing his appreciation to nurses. The Prime Minister recently recovered from Covid-19:
"On #InternationalNursesDay, I pay tribute to Florence Nightingale, pioneer of modern nursing, who was born 200 years ago today. Thank you to all of our amazing nurses in the UK who are taking care of us, especially in this very difficult time. You are the very best of us."
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